Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
January 29, 2005

BISHOP FILARET OF MILESEVO
CALLS FOR PEACE AND COOPERATION

Following yesterday’s attack by a group of minors on Orthodox priest Jovo Adnan, His Grace Bishop Filaret of Milesevo wishes to remind that this is one of a series of similar incidents that has brought unrest not only to Orthodox Serbs in the Raska region [Sandzak] but also those who wish to live in peace. This incident and others like it, e.g. attacks on the church of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Priboj, the recent stoning of Deacon Radomir Sandic and his wife in Novi Pazar and incidents related to sports events cannot be ascribed solely to the minors who perpetrated them but also to all those who are responsible for the upbringing.

According to information received by the Diocese of Milesevo, the minors who swore at and attacked Father Jovo Adnan left school in a drunken state and therefore the accountability of educational workers must also be demanded.

At the same time, Bishop Filaret wishes to thank the director of the St. Sava School in Prijepolje, as well as all educational officials on the territory of this Diocese, who have made it possible for the celebration of the day of the first Serbian archbishop and educator to take place in suitable fashion. Bishop Filaret similarly requests that all public schools in the Raska region make it possible for children of the Muslim faith to celebrate Ramadan, Bajram and other holidays in suitable fashion.

Bishop Filaret calls on all those who have lived for centuries together in the Raska region, Orthodox, Muslims and others, to preserve the peace, nurture good neighborly relations and in this time so difficult for us all, to protect one another from the evil foreign elements persistently seek to inject among the peaceful people. The Diocese of Milesevo condemns every act of violence committed against individuals, their property, and especially attacks on members of the clergy and places of worship.

In conclusion, Bishop Filaret calls on representatives of the Islamic religious community on their part to condemn attacks on Orthodox priests and churches, as the Diocese of Milesevo and the Serbian Orthodox Church as a whole most strongly condemned the destruction of mosques in Nis and Belgrade, and to continue correct cooperation with the Diocese of Milesevo.

[Serbian Translation Services]